Grouting-tool



J. G. BRICKER.

GROUTING mos..

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6. I9l6.

Patented June IG, 1919.

@t4/@MM M/MWM (Urol new JAMES G. BRICKER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

GROUTING-TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10, 1919.

Y Application filed November 6, 1916. Serial No. 129,790.

' @fronting-Tools, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a grouting tool adapted for spreading material over surfaces covered with stones, bricks, or blocks, whereby the grouting material will be caused to fill the spaces, interstices and crevices between the stones, bricks or blocks. The tool is especially adapted for use in laying of pavements.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved tool which facilitates the operation of spreading material over the paved surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of this character having a iexible operating edge capable of conforming t0V the surfaces over which a grouting material is to be spread. y

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of this character with a flexible operating edge, whereby relatively high efficiency and speed of operation is attained.

Another object' of the invention is to provide a tool of this character with a flexible edge which tends to force the grouting material downwardly into the spaces, crevices or interstices between theJ paving blocks as the tool is manipulated thereover.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of this character with an adj ustable section, whereby an effective and ef- `licient operating edge can be maintained at all times. Y

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the parts or combination of parts hereinafter described and set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a grouting tool, embodying my invention, a portion of the operating handle therefor being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tool, the handle being omitted.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, 1 indicates as an entirety a frame or support t0` which a section of flexible material 2 is secured. The section of material 2, as shown, extends slightly beyond the lower edge of the support l, whereby it is adapted to engage with the grouting material and spread the same over the surface being paved or covered with stones, bricks, blocks 0r similar articles.

The support l preferably comprises a pair of rectangular sheet metal plates l, la', which receive between them the section of material 2. The section of material 2 is preferably equal in length to but slightly wider than the plates la, la, so that when it is iirst placed therein its operating edge will extend the desired distance beyond the lower edges of the plates l, la. The plates l, lf, are preferably spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the flexible section 2, so as to forln a suitable support therefor, maintain its shape as well as to protect the unused portion thereof until it is needed. Any suitable means may lbe provided for supporting and maintaining the plates la', la, in parallel relationship to each other with the flexible section 2 between them. The improved means which I have shown for illustrative purposes preferably consist of a plurality of members 3. I have preferably provided two supporting members 3 and arranged them near opposite ends of the plates la, la. Each supporting member 3 preferably comprises a pair of arms 3, 3b, extending transversely of and secured, in any well known manner, to the opposite outer faces of the yplates l, la', and a connector 3c which connects the upper ends of the arms 3a, 8b, together. The connector 3c is preferably of annular or loop shape to withstand, without danger of breakage, any force which tends to move the plates l, la', away from or toward each other.

The arms Sa, 3b, may be secured to the plates la, la, by counter-sunk screws 3d. The free ends of the arms 3a, 3b, preferably extend substantially to the lower edges of the plates la, la', as shown in Fig. 4.

In the form of construction just described, it will be seen that the space between the plates la, la', is practically open on all sides of the latter, thus providing for the ready re- .moval of an old exible section 2 and the replacement between the plates of a new section at any time, for the easy and eflicient removal of any hardened material that may have accumulated in or about the plates.

4 indicates means for adjustably and detachably securing the flexible section 2 to and between the supporting plates 1, 1a. The means 4 preferably comprise a thumb screw 4a which lits a screw threaded opening4d preferably formed in one of the arms 3a, 8b, of each member 3. The screw 4a is adapted to extend entirely through an opening 4C, formed in t-lie adjacent plate and registering with the screw-tlirea-ded opening 4, so that when the screw is tightened, it will engage with the adjacent 4surface of the flexible section 2 and clamp or secure it against the plate 1a or 1a on the opposite side thereof. VThe securing devices 4 are preferably secured to that arm of the plate supporting member 3 which is secured to the plate carrying the handle, indicated 4as an entirety at 5'. The inner end of each screw 4L is preferably rounded or pointed so that when the screw is tightened against the flexible section 2 it will project slightly tliereinto and thus securely position the flexible section relative tothe plates 1, 1a. The adjusting screws 4a preferably extend through and have screw threaded engagement with openings in the arms 3" so as to provide a relatively long engaging surface for the screws.

The handle 5 may be secured to one of the plates 1a, la, in any suitable manner. For the purpose of illustration I have shown a pair of sheet metal semi-circular members 6, G, each having a foot Ga adapted to be riveted or otherwise secured, as shown `at 6b, to the adjacent' supporting plate, and a collar 6c surrounding the members G, 6. One end of the handle 5 is adapted'to lbe inserted in between the members 6, 6, and clamped therebetween by the operation of drawing to* gether the free ends of the collar GC. This latter operation may be effected by means of a suitable screw 7, extending through open'- ings formed in the opposite ends of the collar 6, and a nut 7 l thereon.

The section of material 2 may be formed Y from some material which is relatively stiff,

but sufficiently flexible to slightly bend or fold rearwardly as the tool is being moved in either direction and at the same time adjust itself to the unevenness of the surfaceover which the tool is operated. I prefer to use a section of material'formed from woven material and rubber, but other materials, such as leather, fabric, canvas and rubber alone may be advantageously used.

The section of material is fixed to thesupport 1 so that a portion thereof. projects a short distance beyond the lower edge of the support.` The section ofjma-terial 2 will extendbeyond the lower edge of the support 1 to a greater or lesser extent depending largely upon the flexibility of the material used, the roughness or unevenn'ess of the surface over which the grouting material is to be spread and in the character and viscosity of the grouting material to be filled in be- Y tween the stones, bricks or blocks;V When the tool is iirst assembled, the section of flexible a sullicient distance to provide a new `operating or spreading edge. Such adjustment ofthe flexible section 2 can be repeated each time a new operating edge is required until 5 the entire section ofv material Vis worn away, at which time a new 'section of material can be positioned ybetween the plates 1a, 1a.

Byv positioning the clamping devices 4 near the lower edge of the plate 1, substantially all of the flexible section 2j can be utilized before substituting a new section of mafYY terial.

r1`he tool is adapted for use in spreading over stones, ibricks and blocks, a filler of any desired character. In practice I have found it especially 'adapted for spreading cement, and mastic and bitulithic materials. Y

By the provisionV of a flexible material along the operating edge of the tool, VI

am enabled to operate the tool effectively andv relatively fast since the flexibleY material readily accommodates itselfv to any unevenness in the surface being grouted and permits the tool to easily slide thereover.

Furthermore, due to the flexibility ofthe surface engaging edge of the tool, move` ment of the tool" to and fro'causes'th'e flexible edge to bend, fold, flex or yield `rearwardly so that suoli edge tends at-alltimes to force or press the grouting` material downwardly or towardV the surfaceV to be grouted rather than forwardly as is the case in all tools, of which I am aware, heretofore used. the' handle at such an angle as to most effectively. spread the grouting material. In Y operation, the support `1 serves to move the mass of material as it is manipulated by the operative in one directionlor the other, while the flexible edge as it bends -or-flexes serves to force or press the grouting material' downwardly into the spaces,'crevices and interstices between the blocks, as the tool The supporty iscorrelated with ico iio Y passes thereover, so thatbyV a few manipula.

tions'of the tool over the surface, the spaces, crevices and interstices 'therein will be entirely filled. Itrwill thus be seen that while the support 1 serves tomove Vorv spread'the bulk of the material, the flexibleV operating edge engages that portion of the material adjacentv to the surface and presses downwardly into the spaces to be filled. AsY the flexible operating edge readily accommo-.- dates itself to any roughness Vor uiievenness in the surface, the action thereof" will be iac-V most efficient, thus making it possible to utilize all of the groutingV material for lilling the spaces, crevices and interstices between the stones, bricks or blocks.

To those skilled in the art of making devices of the class described, many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In a tool of the character described, the combination of a support comprising a pair of members, means for connecting said members together and maintaining them in parallel relationship with the space between them at all side edges of the members unobstructed, a section of continuous material arranged between` said members and projecting therefrom along one longitudinal edge of said support, and a clamping device arranged near the free longitudinal edge of one of said members and projecting therethrough into engagement with said section of material to adjustably secure it between the said members.

2. In a tool of the character described, the combination with a pair of separate spaced plates, means for holding the plates in their spaced relation with the space between the same unobstructed at all four edges comprising a plurality of narrow rigid spacing members fastened to the plates, a section of material' adjustably secured between the plates and projecting beyond the lower edges thereof, devices passing through one of said plates and engaging said section of material to hold it in its adjusted position, and a handle carried by one of the said plates.

3. In a tool of the character described, the combination with a pair of separate spaced plates a plurality of narrow rigid loop members connected to said plates and adapted to hold the plates in their spaced relation with the space between the same unobstructed at all four sides, a section of adj ustable material located between said plates and projecting below the lower edges thereof, means for engaging and retaining said section of material in its adjusted position between the plates, and a handle carried by one of said plates.

4l. In a tool of the character described, the combination witha pair of separate spaced plates, a plurality of narrow rigid loop members connected to said plates and having their upper ends extendin beyond the plates and adapted to hold tie plates in their spaced relation with the space between the same unobstructed at all four sides, a section of adjustable material located between said plates and projecting below the lower edges thereof, devices passing through one of said plates near the lower edge thereof and engaging said section of material to hold it in its adjusted position between the plates, and a handle carried by one of said plates.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, inthe presence of two witnesses.

JAS. G. BRICKER. lVitnesses:

C. L. GATES, A. R. EDGERTON.

limpiasd of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, 'by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

It is hereby oertied that in Letters Patent No. 1,306,135, granted June 10, 1919, upon the application of James G. Brioker, of Cleveland, Ohio, for an improvement in Grouting-Tools, errors appear in the printed sp'eoiiioation requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 20, claim 1, after the Word them insert the Word unobstructed; same page and claim lines 20-21, strike out the Word unobstruoted; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these correotions therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of July, A. D., 1919.

[SEAL] R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting @ommtsstoner of Patents. 

